Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Dent on March 26, 1993, to the Honourable Don Morin, who is presently travelling, regarding the tendering practices of municipalities.
When the Department of Government Services and Public Works directly purchases mobile equipment for the hamlets, the department follows standard specifications, tenders the purchases and inspects the units to ensure they meet specifications.
In some cases, MACA has devolved the purchase of mobile equipment to the hamlets. In those cases, the department provides its standard specifications to MACA for use by the hamlet. The hamlets then tender the purchases, with the assistance of MACA staff, and carry out their own inspections. Government Services and Public Works does not conduct follow-up inspections, except when requested by MACA or a hamlet.